Brittany Lincicome says No. 18 at Chevron is 'easier' than Mission Hills, but 'tricky'

USA Today

23-04-2025

Brittany Lincicome says No. 18 at Chevron is 'easier' than Mission Hills, but 'tricky'
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18th hole at The Chevron Championship
Carlton Woods' final hole dares players to go for the green, with water guarding a dramatic dogleg right finish.
Brittany Lincicome has a history of dramatic finishes on the 18th hole at the ANA Inspiration.
The 18th hole at the Chevron Championship's new course presents different challenges, with water hazards and varying tee positions.
Lincicome can reach the 18th green in two from the closer tee, but not from the back tee.
The closer tee presents a risk-reward opportunity for players, with a tighter shot through trees.
THE WOODLANDS, Texas – Brittany Lincicome's history with the 18th hole at the Dinah Shore Tournament Course is legendary. When Lincicome won the 2015 ANA Inspiration, she played the 18th hole four times on Sunday. Each time she strolled down Dinah's Walk of Champions, she high-fived fans on her way to the green.
Ten years ago, Lincicome eagled the 18th in regulation to force a playoff against Stacy Lewis and won on the third playoff hole. In 2009, she made eagle on the 72nd hole, hitting the green in two with a hybrid, to claim her first major title.
The 18th at the Nicklaus Course at the Club at Carlton Woods doesn't have much LPGA history yet. There's no island green, but there is enough water to cause some drama on the closing par 5 at the Chevron Championship.
The closing hole will be played from two different yardages this week: 524 and 491. Lincicome said she can't reach the green in two from the back tee and will be laying up. That won't be the case, however, from the closer tee.
"The days they move it up, it's more getable," Lincacome said. "But you've got to feed it through this tree and that tree and not catch a branch, potentially. So it gets a little tricky, but it's definitely doable.
"The grandstands appear to be a little closer to the green, so they are definitely going to be in the fire zone because you're not going to be short, so we might see a few balls ricochet back."
So how does Lincicome feel No. 18 at Carlton Woods compares to the final hole at Mission Hills, where players made their final run at a chance to jump into Poppie's Pond?
"I think it's easier, just because it's not the island, so you can bail, either over or right, and still be fine," she said. "It's a longer shot, I guess, but it's not an island."